Parliament, Friday, 6 March 2026 – The Joint Standing Committee on Defence has resolved to defer a presentation it was to receive from the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) on its 2025 annual report owing to the unavailability of the committee Chairperson, the Minister in the Presidency Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
While the committee’s communication made it clear that the Chairperson must appear physically to give account on the operations of the committee, the Minister provided an apology that her office received notification that the meeting will be on a virtual platform. The committee was categorical that the meeting today followed various meetings where the lack of accountability on the part of NCACC was discussed and it was made clear that the meeting was always scheduled to be held physically in Parliament.
“Following the meeting on Friday, 20 February 2026, the committee issued a media statement that made it clear that the meeting will be on a physical setting. Also, the Minister has parliamentary liaison officers that must provide the Minister with accurate and timely information, which clearly was not the case this time around,” said Mr Phiroane Phala, the Co-Chairperson of the committee.
While the Deputy Chairperson of the NCACC, Deputy Minister Andries Nel, and Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa were in the meeting, the committee was of the view that the unwillingness of the NCACC over time has made it difficult for the Joint Standing Committee on Defence to receive the presentation on the annual report. “Accountability is sacrosanct, and the unwillingness of the NCACC to present performance of the committee is both concerning and unacceptable,” Mr Phala emphasised.
The committee was also of the view that the meeting was necessary following engagements with the Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association of South Africa (AMD), which highlighted concerns with the NCACC and its irregular meetings and inability to approve applications in accordance with the spirit and provisions of the National Conventional Arms Control Act. The challenges with the NCACC, according to the committee, have a direct impact on the defence industry’s ability to meaningfully contribute to economic growth. The committee resolved that this meeting must be scheduled urgently.
Meanwhile, the committee resolved that it will not receive a presentation on the outstanding payments and deployments allowances due to SANDF members. The committee was of the view that the presentation lacked details and specifics requested by the committee and that it was disingenuous of the SANDF to suggest that they were not aware of the overall breakdown as requested by the committee.
Meanwhile, the committee has raised alarm at the seeming lack of collaboration between the South African National Defence Force and the South African Police Service in devising an operational plan responding to the deployment of SANDF to assist the SAPS in policing increasing incidents of gang violence and illegal mining.
The committee said during the meeting that the presentation made to the Portfolio Committee on Police and the one made before the JSCD are incongruent, which will have a negative impact on ensuring its effectiveness. Furthermore, while the committee conceded that it did not want operational details of the deployment, it has left the meeting none the wiser about the scale, objective and planned operational implementation of the deployment.
“It is important that a joint plan be developed and tabled in Parliament, which will highlight clear command and control of operations, accountability mechanisms, budget breakdown and funding instruments to be used for the deployment and training necessary to equip the SANDF to operate in civilian areas,” Mr Phala emphasised. The committee resolved to schedule a joint meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Police to enable the joint presentation to be tabled,” Mr Phala concluded.
Due to the urgency of this matter and that deployment was scheduled to start on 1 March, the committee committed to prioritising this matter on its programme.
ISSUED BY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSON OF THE JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE, MR PHIROANE PHALA
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairpersons, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
Arrange a tour